The Cairns Amateurs has unveiled some of racing’s biggest names to headline this year’s Carnival including three-time Melbourne Cup-winning jockey Glen Boss.
Earlier today, Boss and horse racing presenter Brittany Taylor were unveiled as ambassadors for the 66th edition of the Cairns Amateurs Carnival to be staged from September 12 to 14.
Well-known media identity, Bart Sinclair OAM, has also agreed to continue in his role as Patron.
In welcoming the announcement, Cairns Jockey Club President Tom Hedley said Taylor and Boss combine all the cachet and calibre needed to position Cairns Amateurs on the leaderboard of Australia’s regional racing calendar.
“We are grateful to Ladbrokes Australia for securing two of the country’s racing royalty and two of the best minds when it comes to the sport of horse racing and fashion stakes,” Mr Hedley said.
“Another special guest we are pleased to welcome back Amateurs’ honorary patron, Bart Sinclair OAM, whose enduring passion for Queensland racing, support and involvement in the event over the years has played an integral role in its past, current and future success.”
Last month, Cairns Jockey Club announced Ladbrokes Australia as its exclusive wagering partner and naming rights of Cairns Amateurs’ pinnacle social event, the Friday evening black tie ball featuring Country Music sensation Max Jackson.
Ladbrokes Australia’s Director of Stakeholder Engagement Karl deKroo said his organisation is committed to backing and strengthening racing in north Queensland through partnerships with Cairns and the regions.
“Coming on board for the iconic Cairns Amateurs Carnival continues to build our foothold in regional Queensland, and we know our ambassadors Brittany Taylor and Glen Boss will do an amazing job breathing new life and focussing attention onto what is a time-honoured, bucket list event,” Mr deKroo said.
Considered one of Australia's best young media talents in racing and sport, Taylor has covered some of the country’s major race meetings, including the past three Melbourne Cup Carnivals for Channel 10.
The daughter of successful WA trainer Jim Taylor, Brittany has the sport of horse racing in her blood and, whenever time permits, loves nothing more than being hands-on around the family stables.
"As soon as I heard about the opportunity to be an ambassador for Cairns Amateurs, I jumped at it,” Ms Taylor said.
“Covering the big city meetings is fantastic, but there's something special about the community feel and passion around meetings like this.
“I've been lucky enough to cover a few great bush meetings in WA and always look forward to them and all the people they bring together.”
Boss, one of Australia’s most successful and best-known jockeys, will join Taylor with Amateurs ambassadorial duties, including hosting the glamorous Cairns Amateurs Ball on the waterfront on Friday, 13 September.
The Caboolture-born Boss retired in late 2022 with almost 2000 career wins, 90 of them in Australian Group 1 races and became an Australian sporting legend when he teamed with champion mare Makybe Diva for a historic three successive Melbourne Cup wins (2003, ‘04 and ‘05).
He also won four Ladbrokes Cox Plates, two Golden Slippers and seven Doncaster’s.
Boss now works as a brand ambassador for Ladbrokes, where some of his work includes a passion project, “Bossy’s Bucket List,” which showcases iconic bush race meetings around Australia and New Zealand.
“Living back in Queensland and being a proud Queenslander, I can’t wait to get to Cairns. Grassroots racing is the foundation of our great sport,” Mr Boss said.
In 2022, Bart Sinclair OAM was made Patron of the Cairns Amateurs - an honour bestowed on him by the former committee for his service to Queensland’s horse racing industry and Cairns Amateurs in particular.
According to Mr Sinclair, the event’s founding father, Sir Sydney Williams OAM, introduced him to Cairns Amateurs and kept him returning year after year.
“Since starting my career as a sports journalist with The Australian in 1984, I have only missed one Cairns Amateurs,” Mr Sinclair said.
“Many people know me as the person who compered the presentations after each race. Always fun when you are wearing a suit in the sun.”
Mr Sinclair said that among his Amateur duties, he particularly enjoys his role as master of ceremonies for the Tulloch Club lunch. This firm tradition occurs on the Thursday eve of the two-day race meeting.
“Sir Syd’s energy and passion for Cairns and Far North Queensland put Cairns Amateurs on the map, and he should be remembered. The Amateurs have always been fantastic, and it is great for the region. When it comes to sporting events, it is as good as it gets,” he said.
Mr Sinclair’s love of track and turf dates to his childhood. He grew up just minutes from the Eagle Farm racetrack in Brisbane, where his dad was a horse trainer.
“As a kid, I spent a lot of time around the stables and have always been a sports nerd.”
Tickets to all events are now on sale via www.cairnsamateurs.org.au.
The 66th edition of the Cairns Amateurs Carnival will be held between Thursday, September 12, and Saturday, September 14, 2024.